Chương 59: It’s a Bug, KILL IT!

Celestia looked over at Seraphina, who was staring contemplatively out the window.

"Fizzle for your thoughts?" she asked, standing up from the sofa. She bent over and grabbed a can labeled Fizzy Fizz and held it out to Seraphina. Seraphina wrinkled her nose, shaking her head no. Celestia shrugged and placed the can back on the table. She paused, scratching her head before stepping closer.

"So, where are you, Seraphina?" she asked, eyebrows raised.

"Because you certainly aren't here." Seraphina gave her a soulful smile.

"Oh, here, there, and everywhere, but you are right. I was not present in the here and now."

"You want to talk about it?" Celestia asked, coming up beside her. Seraphina sighed, then momentarily returned her gaze out the window.

"I mean, it is fine if you do not. I did not want to intrude or anything," Celestia said, turning to step away. Seraphina reached out and gently grabbed her arm.

"No, it is not that," she said.

"It is just that I do not know where to start. My mind is everywhere right now. I am trying to wrap my head around so much of it. Not that long ago everything made sense, business as usual, and then in a matter of a day and a half…"

"Everything got turned upside down and backwards?" Celestia asked.

"Not quite how I would have put it, but yes," Seraphina said, smirking.

"My house is gone, my family is in hiding, we are trapped here, and we have everything…" She broke off, realizing they were still unsure how anyone else knew about Thai.

"You mean Th…" Seraphina put a finger to Celestia's lips, cautioning her not to say it out loud. Celestia's eyes widened knowingly.

"You mean time, like we do not have time to be locked away here. We need to figure out who is behind this and why they burned your house down." She nodded. Celestia noticed a slight glint from the underside rim of the desk. She took a step forward before turning back to Seraphina.

"You know what I wanted to ask you?" Celestia asked, motioning to the desk.

"What do you use for bugs at your house? I thought I saw one on the desk. I guess it does not matter now that your house is gone."

"On my desk?" Seraphina replied, whipping her head toward it, then turning back to Celestia, who nodded.

"I wish you could have shown it to me. I take pride in having a bug free workspace. I find them rather creepy." This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Celestia walked over to the desk and knelt down, sliding her hand under the lip. When she pulled it back, a small electronic device shaped like a beetle rested in her palm.

"I was going to put it in a jar for you to look at, but never got the chance." Seraphina's jaw clenched. She shook her head in disgust, then picked up a cup from the table and held it out to Celestia. Celestia dropped the device into the cup, then walked over to the bookshelf.

"Yes, you really have to be careful with bugs. They end up all over the place if you do not address it right away." Seraphina watched as Celestia pulled another device from the bookcase.

"Really?" Seraphina said, a little too flippantly.

"I have never had an issue." She walked over and held the cup out to Celestia. Celestia dropped the device into the cup, raising her eyebrows.

"I think we should go see what Jasper has found out. He has been gone an awfully long time." Seraphina nodded, looking down at the cup.

"You know, that is an excellent idea, but I think they want us to sit tight for now. While you were taking a nap, they posted a guard outside the door. No one in, no one out."

"So what? You and I are supposed to just sit here and do absolutely nothing?" Celestia asked.

"Well, we can play a game if you would like."

"Like what? Hide and Seek?" Celestia scoffed.

"I was thinking more like a treasure hunt," Seraphina said, looking down at the cup. Celestia blinked.

"A treasure hunt," she repeated, drawing the words out with theatrical flair.

"You cannot be serious. What are we, five?" Seraphina motioned to the cup and nodded.

"You do not have to be a small child to have a good treasure hunt, Celestia," she smiled.

"I have things hidden around, mostly for when one of my daughters brings the kids. With a little imagination and creativity, I am sure we can find all sorts of things that do not belong. Besides, you have a better way to pass the time?" Celestia winked at Seraphina, signaling that she understood.

"Every good containment chamber has its secrets. I figured we might stretch our wings and count how many paperclips it takes to fill a teacup." Celestia scanned the room casually, eyes drifting across air vents and book spines.

"So nothing is off limits then?"

"No. Check every nook, every cranny," she laughed.

"Search high and low, to and fro." Celestia laughed. Seraphina leaned back, crossing one leg over the other, her gaze deliberately unfocused.

"And if we happen to dust the top shelves in the process, well, they say cleanliness is next to audit readiness. Or something like that." Celestia suppressed a laugh and headed toward the couch cushions.

"Let us begin. But if I find anything inappropriate or gross, I quit."

"Celestia. I said I hid stuff for my grandchildren. What is it that you think you would find that would fall in the inappropriate or gross categories?"

"If kids are involved, they may have left something hidden for you to find, and who knows what level of disgusting that could lead to." She rolled her eyes and shrugged.

"Fair point, I guess. I have found the occasional cookie and forgotten sandwich, but nothing too terrible," she offered, bringing her index finger to her chin. Both women turned as the door opened and Jasper walked in.

"Jasper. Just the man I was looking for." Seraphina brought a finger to her lips to signal Jasper to be selective in what he was going to say. She walked toward him and showed him the cup. Jasper took the cup from her and lifted his glasses to get a better look. He looked at Seraphina, then at Celestia, and nodded.

"I figured you ladies would like some time off for good behavior. Can I interest you in some lunch, perhaps? Or maybe just a stroll through the halls. I know how much you hate being cooped up, Seraphina."

"You know, Jasper, that sounds fantastic. I could go for lunch. Some real food instead of Fizzy Fizz, Flavor Frights, and Dingy Dazzlers," she said, glancing at the table.

"Hey. Do not knock the Fizz, Frights, or Dazzlers," Celestia remarked.

"But yes, lunch sounds great."